Could miscreants be the cause of forest fire?

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">In the major break-out of a forest fire near the green Vetal hills, the last three days have seen six acres of land and over 100 saplings being charred and damaged. This has put a question mark over the safety and security of preserving the flora in the hilly areas surrounding Pune city.<br />The Bhamburda forest area has already sought the popularity of the city due to its healthy, pollution free environment.Incidents of forest-fires are occasional, but this time, the damage is reported to be much more.<br />The Pune Forest Division PFD) which had planted these saplings during June 2002, have launched an inquiry over the incident.<br />According to official reports the forest-fire broke out in the night time three days ago. <br />Speaking to PT, the PFD deputy conservator of forest, Anurag Chaudhari, however, claimed that not much damage had been done, as the larger and older trees are still safe. “It has affected some 10 to 15 saplings of Wad and Neem, because our staff cut the grass promptly in order to prevent more damage,� he said. The small saplings were at the corner of the road where the fire broke out, he added. <br />“An inquiry report can throw more lights on the reasons and an estimation of the damage done in the fire,� he suggested. In view of keeping the safety of the area, the Pune Municipal Corporation PMC) is erecting a compound wall to prevent any encroachments.<br />Of an already approved budget of Rs 25 lakhs, Rs 16 lakhs will be spent on the Bhamburda area alone. An actual work of construction is yet to commence, as there is some dispute between the PMC and private contractors over the cost of construction of the wall. The PMC garden superintendent Yashwant Khaire, however, was hopeful about the finalisation of the contract by next month.<br />Describing the idea behind erecting the compound wall, Chaudhari said that the earlier barbed wire fencing, erected in 1968-70, has been destroyed or stolen from most of the places and also has multiple entry points. <br />Chaudhari also stated that people from the slums areas at Janwadi, Vadarwai, Lamantanad, Kalewadi and a few other temporary settlements of the construction workers might be responsible for illegal cutting of trees for fire-wood.<br />The compound walls will also protect the existing wildlife in the area. “Stray dogs in the area are disturbing the lives of the most prominent birds in the park, the peacock by eating their eggs and young ones,� he said.<br />Meanwhile, the fire incident has spread shocking waves the city, with around 500 to 700 nature lovers and conscious citizens already visiting the Bhamburda area.<br />Noted expert Dr Ram Kale was also upset when he heard the news. Kale is a regular visitor at the Vetal hill area since the last 25 years and suggested that the issue can be settled peacefully by spreading awareness about conservation in the nearby slums.<br />“There might be a possibility of some outsiders involved in the fire incident,� he said.<br />Many of the visitors complain that their efforts in protecting are persistently opposed by such “invisible� anti-social elements who are bent on making the place dirty and messy. The question of night patrolling in the area has also been raised frequently, as plastic bags, bottles and other trash is visible in the area every morning.<br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">vivek_sabnis@indiatimes.com</span> </div> </div>